NeylasMom Posted November 16, 2021 Share Posted November 16, 2021 Just wondering, if you felt like one of your remaining dogs grieved the loss of another dog, how long was it until your dog seemed "normal" again? Skye isn't playing as much and is sleeping a lot, she's not anywhere near as reactive as she normally is, she's clingier in some ways, and she just seems mopey a lot of the time. Lots of ways to explain it, but more and more I think she is actually missing Violet. I figure I need to give her at least a few weeks before I really start to worry, but hopefully hearing some of your experiences will be encouraging. Quote Jen, CPDT-KA with Zuri, lab in a greyhound suit, Violet, formerly known as Faith, Skye, the permanent puppy, Cisco, resident cat, and my baby girl Neyla, forever in my heart "The great thing about science is that you're free to disagree with it, but you'll be wrong." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreyTzu Posted November 16, 2021 Share Posted November 16, 2021 Yes, I have noticed it in the past also. Years ago, our holistic Vet recommended the homeopathic remedy Ignatius Bean to help. Quote Wendy and The Whole Wherd. American by birth, Southern by choice. "Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup!" ****OxyFresh Vendor ID is 180672239.**** Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remolacha Posted November 16, 2021 Share Posted November 16, 2021 I have never had dogs that were strongly bonded but I definitely noticed when I lost one the remaining dog was subdued. It lasted anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. As long as no one seemed seriously depressed I just gave them time and they went back to being normal. She is probably picking up on your sadness too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fostr_Mom Posted November 16, 2021 Share Posted November 16, 2021 Yes, my dogs have grieved the loss of a pack mate. I try to do fun things with them to keep them busy at first. Pre-greyhounds we had 2 cats & 2 dogs. As the dogs passed and one of the cats, the lone cat was really lost and would circle through the house crying. She passed shortly afterward. With the greyhounds, I was fostering so there was less grieving. Quote <p>Mom to Kyle (Diehard Kyle) & Angel Gracie (KB's Sankey) Foster Mom for AFG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EllenEveBaz Posted November 16, 2021 Share Posted November 16, 2021 Walks with other dogs, or just hanging out with other dogs helped. Is that an option for Ms Skye? Of course, what helped the most was bringing another dog home. In one case, I definitely was not ready emotionally, but a foster opportunity came up and my surviving dog bonded strongly with the foster, so he stayed. Quote Ellen, with brindle Milo and the blonde ballerina, Gelsey remembering Eve, Baz, Scout, Romie, Nutmeg, and Jeter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cleptogrey Posted November 16, 2021 Share Posted November 16, 2021 YES!!!! all of my dogs have grieved when their partner has died. the only solution was another dog and then they were happier than ever. and yes, i gave it a long go- 9 months with willie, all he did was stare at the floor and 3 months with felix, he too turned into a lump after annie passed, willie passed, emily passed. so, once they have a bond it needs a substitute. yeah, it's guaranteed foster failure. felix and willie both picked out their new partners in crime. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2greyhoundMINI Posted November 16, 2021 Share Posted November 16, 2021 BOTH my hounds and my kitties have grieved over losing one of their buddies. Definitely will take time. I give them lots of extra love and treats to help. Quote Greyhounds: Amelia (Cataloosahatchee 9.10.17) & Carmen (Rebellious Bird 8.23.17) Kitty: Biggi Paws (7.4.13) Horse: WC Kharena (2.28.17) Rainbow Bridge: Raider Kitty (4.1.01 - 8.12.21), Sidney (Kane's Seminole 11.14.08 - 9.26.19 ), June (Potrs June 6.1.09 - 3.1.19) Bella the Rottweiler, Kitties: Spike, DC, Gilda, Killer, Sophie & Nala Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greysmom Posted November 16, 2021 Share Posted November 16, 2021 Even when you don't think the dogs in the house have bonded, or would even care one way or another if their housemate was gone, they definitely react when it happens. Just the change in home dynamics will cause a reaction, let alone actually knowing their companion is dead. We always try harder to keep them occupied with new things after one of ours has passed. It helps them and it helps us. {{{hugs}}} Quote Chris - Mom to: Felicity (DeLand), and Andi (Braska Pandora) siggy by Chris Harper, on Flickr Angels: Libby (Everlast), Dorie (Dog Gone Holly), Dude (TNJ VooDoo), Copper (Kid's Copper), Cash (GSI Payncash), Toni (LPH Cry Baby), Whiskey (KT's Phys Ed), Atom, Lilly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaryJane Posted November 16, 2021 Share Posted November 16, 2021 For some of my dogs - it was about 6 months. It helped if I took them for walks - usually different places from where I would normally walk dogs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dante2zoe Posted November 16, 2021 Share Posted November 16, 2021 Zoe grieved so deeply that she was hardly even eating and would just lie around in a very uncharacteristic fashion. I even had two others at the time, but she lost her favorite. After 6 weeks, I got another dog. Fancy really struggled and even after 4 months she was still having a tough time. Her method of "coping" was to walk and/or jog for hours every day. It was exhausting and that intense need to keep moving stopped when Paris walked in the door. I am so sorry you and Skye are experiencing this - it is tough. Quote Cindy with Miss Fancypants, Paris Bueller, Zeke, and Angus Dante (Dg's Boyd), Zoe (In a While), Brady (Devilish Effect), Goose (BG Shotgun), Maverick (BG ShoMe), Maggie (All Trades Jax), Sherman (LNB Herman Bad) and Indy (BYB whippet) forever in my heart The flame that burns the brightest, burns the fastest and leaves the biggest shadow Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeylasMom Posted November 17, 2021 Author Share Posted November 17, 2021 Thanks all. We are doing extra "stuff" - more hiking (with other dogs when we can), more food puzzles and snuffle mats and the like, more work on her noise issues, and when she seems playful lots of fetch with her favorite stuffie. To be honest, sometimes it's exhausting because there are days when all I want to do is lay on the couch because I'm grieving, but I live alone so it all falls on me. Though she is happy to lay with me and snooze when I do that. She and Violet were definitely bonded. Their relationship is actually what got me thinking about adopting Skye. Whereas when Zuri died, Skye couldn't have cared less because they just peacefully coexisted at best. I really don't want a second dog anytime soon, for multiple reasons, and Skye has become very dog selective so fostering isn't likely to be a great option. Hopefully she'll adjust with more time, but it really hurts my heart to see her seem off. Quote Jen, CPDT-KA with Zuri, lab in a greyhound suit, Violet, formerly known as Faith, Skye, the permanent puppy, Cisco, resident cat, and my baby girl Neyla, forever in my heart "The great thing about science is that you're free to disagree with it, but you'll be wrong." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreyPoopon Posted November 17, 2021 Share Posted November 17, 2021 I try to stay as normal as possible--both my attitude and our routines--so most of the time the dogs barely skip a beat. It has helped that there have always been a few (at least) other dogs in the house. A couple of times, one of the survivors was particularly affected. The flatness can lasted quite some time--weeks or even months--but eventually the dog recovers. Opal lost her half-sister and former fellow broodie/kennel-mate Ivy in July. I'm not sure she's 100% even now (her situation is complicated by pain and drugs), but she is definitely happier. Quote Standard Poodle Daisy (12/13) Missing Cora (RL Nevada 5/99-10/09), Piper (Cee Bar Easy 2/99-1/10), Tally (Thunder La La 9/99-3/10), Edie (Daring Reva 9/99-10/12), Dixie (Kiowa Secret Sue 11/01-1/13), Jessie (P's Real Time 11/98-3/13), token boy Graham (Zydeco Dancer 9/00-5/13), Cal (Back Already 12/99-11/13), Betsy (Back Kick Beth 11/98-12/13), Standard Poodles Minnie (1/99-1/14) + Perry (9/98-2/14), Annie (Do Marcia 9/03-10/14), Pink (Miss Pinky Baker 1/02-6/15), Poppy (Cmon Err Not 8/05-1/16), Kat (Jax Candy 5/05-5/17), Ivy (Jax Isis 10/07-7/21), Hildy (Braska Hildy 7/10-12/22), Opal (Jax Opal 7/08-4/23). Toodles (BL Toodles 7/09-4/24) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FiveRoooooers Posted November 17, 2021 Share Posted November 17, 2021 I've not had a single since 2003 so no help there. But I can tell you that a dog/s left behind can start to channel the departed dog/s, so perhaps be open to seeing that in Skye. The first time I noticed this it was a bit unsettling but I've come to welcome it and can now thank both parties for their behaviors. If there is a dog nearby with whom Skye has play-dated and enjoys, maybe an overnight or extended play dates at your place would help? Quote Old Dogs are the Best Dogs. Thank you, campers. Current enrollees: Punkin. AnnIE Oooh M, Ebbie, HollyBeeBop (Betty Crocker). Angels: Pal . Segugio. Sorella (TPGIT). LadyBug. Zeke-aroni. MiMi Sizzle Pants. Gracie. Seamie . (Foster)Sweet. Andy. PaddyALVIN!Mayhem. Bosco. Bruno. Dottie B. Trevor Double-Heart. Bea. Cletus, KLTO. Aiden 1-4. Upon reflection, our lives are often referenced in parts defined by the all-too-short lives of our dogs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DofSweetPotatos Posted November 17, 2021 Share Posted November 17, 2021 Yes. My pups tended to act like rudderless ships for a while. How long? Each were different, some were days, some were weeks. I think once we created a new routine, things slowly began to return for normal for them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lothianjavert Posted November 17, 2021 Share Posted November 17, 2021 Yes. When we lost Diesel both Sebau and Sully grieved. I tried to keep up with the schedule but also added extra activities and that seemed to help. When we lost Sully, Sebau seemed to just give up. She was already very elderly and battling age-related medical issues. We lost her less than a month after Sully passed. Quote In vino veritasRachael with Rook, missing Sully, Sebau, and Diesel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kernowdogs Posted November 17, 2021 Share Posted November 17, 2021 Dogs certainly grieve for companions. Last November we lost Jake at 15, a Dalmatian / Jack Russel cross (!) who had come to us as foster when 9 months old - we were his fourth home! Our other dog Florence, who had come to us as a puppy and was 4 1/2 years old, was lost without her mentor. Being in the tail end of a lockdown didn't help. It took us 6 months but we finally found the dog we were looking for and rehomed George, a 3 year old Greyhound (formerly known as Coyote Storm) in May on Florence's 5th birthday. She enjoys having her toy boy around and is back to her old self. There is no doubt that the 450 mile round trip to meet and adopt George was well worth it. I have been lurking here for a couple of weeks, intending to do an intro in the appropriate place. I'll get round to that 'dreckly'. For non-British readers, 'dreckly' is a word which can cause problems. It is a Cornish expression which is sometimes interpreted as meaning 'directly / right away'. In fact it means 'I'll do it directly I get round to it'. It could be in 2 minutes or 2 hours or 2 days or 2 weeks / months / years / decades. It's similar to the Welsh expression 'I'll do it now in a minute". I daresay that most people have an equivalent expression. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeylasMom Posted November 18, 2021 Author Share Posted November 18, 2021 10 hours ago, lothianjavert said: Yes. When we lost Diesel both Sebau and Sully grieved. I tried to keep up with the schedule but also added extra activities and that seemed to help. When we lost Sully, Sebau seemed to just give up. She was already very elderly and battling age-related medical issues. We lost her less than a month after Sully passed. That is so sad about Sebau. Hard to think about all 3 of them being gone. Then again I'm now a Greyhoundless home. Time goes by so quickly. Kernowdogs, welcome to GT and thanks for responding. Love the boy toy comment. Well I was feeling bad thinking yesterday didn't help because I got side effects that knocked me on my butt for the night, but I forgot Skye had a scheduled hike with our trainer friend who I had started paying to hike Skye every other week while I worked since Violet wasn't up for it. We had only started a month ago. She got her out for a really long hike today and Skye has been OUT all day as a result. So we'll just keep up the activities and hope that and time help. We are signed up for a rally class that a friend teaches starting at the end of the month so that will be good. So appreciative of all of your responses. It does help to hear about your experiences. Quote Jen, CPDT-KA with Zuri, lab in a greyhound suit, Violet, formerly known as Faith, Skye, the permanent puppy, Cisco, resident cat, and my baby girl Neyla, forever in my heart "The great thing about science is that you're free to disagree with it, but you'll be wrong." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.